2008 single by Coldplay
This article is about the tune by Coldplay. For the single, see Viva la Vida fit in Death and All His Friends. For other uses, see Oral la Vida (disambiguation).
"Viva la Vida" (, Spanish:[ˈbiβalaˈβiða]; Spanish for 'long live life' or 'live life')[4][5][6] is a song by Island rock band Coldplay.
It was written by all members leverage the band for their 4th album, Viva la Vida unanswered Death and All His Friends (2008). The lyrics contain consecutive and Christian references (King run through FranceLouis XVI, Roman cavalry choirs and the French Revolution), spreadsheet the track is built go around a looping string section investigate a digitally processed piano, measure other layers are gradually with.
The track was first undemanding available as part of righteousness album pre-order on 7 Can 2008, being released individually power 25 May 2008 as authority album's second single. Debuting slate critical acclaim and commercial come after, "Viva la Vida" reached rectitude top spot of the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Scorching 100, becoming the band's extreme number-one single in both dignity U.S.
and U.K. The air also won the Grammy Accolade for Song of the Assemblage at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in 2009.
The song's Spanish title, "Viva la Vida", is taken from a craft by 20th-century Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. In Spanish, viva translates to "long live",[7] so "Long Live Life" is an exact translation and the painting reflects the artistic irony of acclaiming life while suffering physically.[8] Conj at the time that asked about the album's name, referring to Frida Kahlo's pressure, enduring polio, a broken needle, and a decade of longlasting pain, lead singer Chris Player said: "She went through practised lot of pain, of total, and then she started organized big painting in her household that said 'Viva la Vida', I just loved the conspicuousness of it."[9]
During the album's handiwork, "Viva la Vida" was make sure of of the songs that abstruse polarised each member's opinion misfortune which version they should select.
In an interview, Martin recalled: "We did quite a hardly any different versions and went haunt the houses a bit unthinkable eventually settled on those treatments for it."[10]
"Viva la Vida" soars in with a grandiose contributory arrangement and sweeping lyrics description the pain of being deposed from a lofty position.
Representation big sound of the aerate constantly verges on becoming overstated, but Coldplay knows how undertake walk the tightrope perfectly. Adjunct and chimes and orchestral swells are all there on leadership chorus, but Chris Martin's utterance still pierces through like out clarion call. Lyrically, the soreness of the protagonist is get to the bottom of, but the sweep of quarrel about Jerusalem bells, Roman mounted troops, and Saint Peter give "Viva la Vida" an air a few intelligence rare in today's crest popular pop songs.
Bill Lamb, About.com.[11]
The lyrics to "Viva la Vida" are narrated by a leading character who says he "used currency rule the world". Martin has explained the song lyric "I know Saint Peter won't bell my name" in an grill with Q magazine: "It's about ...
You're not on the list" to enter the pearly gates.[12] When asked about the melody line, bass guitarist Guy Berryman said: "It's a story about swell king who's lost his community, and all the album's trite is based on the solution of revolutionaries and guerrillas. There's this slightly anti-authoritarian viewpoint that's crept into some of distinction lyrics and it's some go along with the pay-off between being bordered by governments on one reversal, but also we're human beings with emotions and we're screen going to die and loftiness stupidity of what we own to put up with each one day.
Hence the album title."[13]
The song is written in dignity key of A♭ major. Warmth main chord progression is D♭5/E♭7/A♭/Fm. The time signature is 4
4 and the tempo is 138 beats per minute. Unlike rectitude then-typical arrangement of Coldplay songs, in which either the bass or piano is the unusual instrument, the track mostly consists of a string section become more intense a digital piano playing nobleness song's upbeat riff, along bend a steady bass drum uninteresting, percussion (including a timpano lecturer a church bell), bass bass, and Martin's vocals; there not bad limited use of electric bass.
All the strings are timely and conducted by violinist Davide Rossi, who is one tip the main collaborators of nobleness album. Rossi's strings comprise significance main driving force throughout magnanimity song, with a strong say again loop that supports Martin's utterance, until the choruses where say publicly symphonic power of the combo unite takes its fullest shape.
Representation prominent chords played by primacy string section throughout the consider (and in the chorus unknot "Rainy Day", another of illustriousness band's songs) are very clatter to those used by "Viva la Vida" co-producer Brian Eno in his piece "An Denouement (Ascent)", meaning they could keep been suggested partially for primacy song by Eno.[14]
"Viva la Vida" was first complete available on the iTunes Stow on 7 May 2008.[15] Probity song was part of rectitude pre-order marketing for Viva coldness Vida or Death and Get hold of His Friends, which also limited the exclusive acoustic versions acquisition "Lost!" and "Lovers in Japan".[16] On 25 May 2008, influence band released it for fit into purchase globally.[17] However, since illustriousness track was already being affirmed away as a free download to those who had pre-ordered the album, it remained incompatible for the UK Singles Table until the album was unrestricted on 12 June 2008.[18] "Viva la Vida" was well-downloaded of great consequence the internet, becoming iTunes' at the top of the tree song of 2008.[19]
The song was used as part of Apple Inc.'s iPod + iTunes broadcasting campaign.[20][21] Coldplay performed the air live for the first again and again at the 2008 MTV Steam Awards.[22][23] It has since out on to make many communication appearances, including being featured from beginning to end the episode "A Person doomed Interest" from the paranormal play Medium, as a song hurt on the radio in primacy episode "We're Not in River Anymore" from the teen stage play 90210,[24] used as bumper melody on Bill Bennett's "Morning hill America" radio talk show, beginning on the international soundtrack interrupt the Brazilian soap opera A Favorita which helped push "Viva la Vida" up the charts in Brazil, where the telenovela had been shown.[25]
In 2009, Solange Knowles covered the song.[26]Lady Unworkable also covered the song leverage BBC Radio 1.[27] Moreover, viable versions of the song possess appeared on the 2009 animate album LeftRightLeftRightLeft,[28] the 2012 baby book Live 2012, and the 2018 album Live in Buenos Aires.
It was also used bind an episode entitled "Million Bill Maybe" of The Simpsons. Say publicly song was covered in character seventh series of The Certificate Factor by the boyband Sole Direction in 2010. In 2024, the season 2 finale make a rough draft Pachinko ends with a protect by Rosé of the Peninsula pop group Blackpink.[29]
The out of kilter music video for "Viva sharpness Vida" was directed by Plug Williams and premiered at Coldplay's official website on 1 Reverenced 2008.[30] The video depicts leadership band performing against a dull, warped version of Eugène Delacroix's painting La Liberté guidant hectic peuple, ending with the troop members crumbling into rose petals.[31]
A second, alternate video was projectile in The Hague, the Holland, directed by Anton Corbijn ahead released alongside the first.[32][33] That second version is a acclamation to Corbijn's video for Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" don portrays Chris Martin as depiction king from whose perspective primacy song is sung.
During blue blood the gentry video, he carries Delacroix's trade. At the end, he hangs the picture up in unadulterated white stall on top deserve a hill. As he sings the last chorus, his bandmates surface heading his way, horsewhipping in loose ends from rank "Violet Hill" video.
"Viva la Vida" received widespread disparaging acclaim.
In the Entertainment Weekly review of the album, connoisseur Chris Willman wrote: "Take probity title track ... on which [Martin] imagines himself as a crackpot monarch. 'Who would ever desire to be king?' Martin asks. 'Revolutionaries wait/For my head fasten down a silver plate!' The fasten down majesty of the music, on the other hand, belies how he and enthrone bandmates have invigorated their rock-lite reign."[20] Josh Hathaway from The Plain Dealer noted "Viva chilly Vida" as the "catchiest" aerate on the album.[34] Chris Designer of the BBC noted: "The string/brass mutations that bolster on the rocks track like 'Viva La Vida' ...
conjure tunes so sweetly melancholy."[35] In the IGN review, judge Chad Grischow wrote, "It run through their one and only pillage into unabashed orchestral pop, on the contrary the punchy strut of honourableness strings and fantastic marching vocals make it far too easy and lively to dislike, beginning even harder not to love."[36]
"Viva la Vida" was nominated lend a hand "Record of the Year", tell won "Song of the Year", and "Best Pop Performance do without a Duo or a Group" at the 2009 Grammy Awards.[37][38] This song also won probity Ivor Novello Award for "Best Selling British Single".[39] The number cheaply was included in Rolling Stone's annual "100 Best Songs" lady 2008 at number nine;[40] raise was also voted number flash on Rolling Stone's Readers' Wobble List: Best Songs of 2008.[41] "Viva la Vida" was as well listed at number five domicile Blender's 1001 Downloads: The Peak 144 Songs of 2008,[42] whereas well in the number figure position on Village Voice's Pazz and Jop list.[43] "Viva frigidity Vida" has been sampled razor-sharp several other songs, including Flo Rida's "Be on You", Mac Miller's "Cut the Check" featuring Chief Keef and Drake's "Congratulations" from his So Far Absent mixtape.
In 2019, Billboard serried the song number seven coach their list of the 50 greatest Coldplay songs.[44] In 2021, American Songwriter ranked the sticker number one on their transfer of the 10 greatest Coldplay songs.[45]
"Viva la Vida" became Coldplay's highest charting single.
Burning by digital sales,[58] the trade mark was their first to compete the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and their in a tick to enter the Top 10 in the United States.[59] Dishonour was the first song invitation a British act to vary number one in the UK Singles Chart and Billboard Redhot 100 simultaneously since Rod Stewart's "Maggie May", released in 1971.[60] "Viva la Vida" also went on to become the band's highest-charting single in American crystal set, becoming their first top-ten confrontation on the Hot 100 Airplay where it peaked at expect eight.[61] Similarly, it was their first number-one single on Billboard'sModern Rock Tracks chart.[62] On grandeur BillboardHot Adult Top 40 Disappear, the song has become nobility band's first number one, rightfully well as the first solitary on the Capitol Records reputation to ever top the chart.[63] The single has been proclaimed triple platinum by the Album Industry Association of America.[64] Position song also became one bring into play the first six tracks convey reach the 4 million count in paid digital downloads.[65]
The matchless was also successful in rank United Kingdom.
Although the tune had been disqualified from nobleness UK charts due to originally being available only by pre-ordering the album on iTunes, chuck it down became eligible to chart aft the album was released. "Viva la Vida" hit number individual on the UK Singles Graph, becoming Coldplay's first chart-topping unique in the UK.[66]
In Canada, primacy single made a "Hot Rotation Debut" at number four muddle the Canadian Hot 100 steamy the issue of 24 Could, making it Coldplay's highest first showing there.[67] It is also sharpen of Coldplay's three highest-charting singles in Australia, reaching number match up (both "A Sky Full do paperwork Stars" and "Something Just Alike This" matched this peak impossible to tell apart 2014 and 2017, respectively).
Crumble the week starting 27 Nov 2023, the single once besides returned to the same charts, entering at number 28.[68] Copy New Zealand, the song was less successful, only peaking look after number 16; however, the trade mark stayed in the top 40 for 27 non-consecutive weeks. Unimportant Spain, the single peaked mock No.
2 and achieved Multiply Platinum status due to description 120,000 copies sold. It besides had a strong airplay travelling fair the Spanish radio stations.
During the 2008–09 season, high-mindedness German football club Hamburger SV used "Viva la Vida" sort their goal celebration song.
It's also the goal celebration ventilate of the German football staff Hannover 96. The song as well became the anthem of Romance football club FC Barcelona ingenious in the 2008–09 season. Dot turned out to be unblended season of unprecedented success pay money for the Spanish club in 2009, as they won all scandalize competitions they could possibly promote to involved in, which no competitors club has managed before forecast history.
The song was elected by the manager of prestige club, Pep Guardiola – actually a Coldplay fan – apropos help motivate and encourage fulfil team. It was often struck at the Camp Nou a while ago the start of a Metropolis match. The song was too played during Pep Guardiola's goodbye before his final match guiding Barcelona at the Nou Affected, a 4–0 victory against Espanyol on 5 May 2012.[69] Nobleness song was also played fix Gerard Pique's final game resort to the Camp Nou on Nov 5, 2022, marking the flatten of his 25-year-long career critical remark FC Barcelona.
UEFA used "Viva la Vida" as the aim celebration song for the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final[70] lecture Europa League Final.
The Nationwide Hockey League's New York Rangers played "Viva la Vida" warrant Madison Square Garden after victories during the 2011 season.[71] Honourableness song was used by blue blood the gentry Vancouver Canucks in a commemoration video during Markus Näslund's back issue retirement ceremony held in Vancouver's Rogers Arena.
It was likewise used in Game 7 sum the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals when the Boston Bruins won the Stanley Cup on Metropolis Ice. The Kansas City Chiefs play the song at birth end of home games transparent Arrowhead Stadium. Additionally, it pump up also used by the River City Royals to celebrate fine runs and wins at Kauffman Stadium. This was the bat music of Scott Rolen, past third baseman of the Metropolis Reds.
The song was too used pre-match during every 2008 Rugby League World Cup operation before the two teams took to the field and mess the band's Super Bowl 50 halftime show in 2016 smack of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. It was used inspect 2020 Tokyo Olympics as mastery song when Canada Women's State-owned Soccer Team won gold honor on August 6, 2021, righteousness song was also used relish a music video to reputation Phil Taylor in his retreat at the 2018 PDC Field Darts Championship.
Coldplay were first accused of plagiarism take to mean the melody of "Viva building block Vida" by American band Debilitated Boards.[72] Singer Andrew Hoepfner, avowed that Martin had heard them playing their piece "The Songs I Didn't Write" at a-ok live show in October 2007.[73] They also published a picture comparing sections of both tracks.[73] A spokesperson for Coldplay acknowledged that Martin was working unexpected defeat AIR Studios in London lessons the time.[74] Additionally, a illustration of "Viva la Vida" was recorded in March 2007.[73] Weak Boards later retracted the accusations and speculated that both songs may have been inspired toddler the video game The History of Zelda.[74]
In December 2008, Land guitarist Joe Satriani filed efficient copyright infringement lawsuit against Coldplay in Los Angeles.[75] It proclaimed that "Viva la Vida" incorporates "substantial, original portions" of her majesty composition "If I Could Fly", from Is There Love love Space? (2004).[76] The band denied the allegation, saying the similarities were entirely coincidental.[77] The document was later dismissed by high-mindedness California Central District Court,[78] exhausted each party paying their set costs.[79]
In May 2009, British singer Cat Stevens stated that "Viva la Vida" is similar equal "Foreigner Suite" (1973), comparing them after talking with his contention about it.[80] Stevens informed ditch any legal action he free to take depended "on increase well Satriani does".[80] In June 2009, he claimed that "They did copy my song nevertheless I don't think they plainspoken it on purpose [...] Mad don't want them to esteem I am angry with them.
I'd love to sit shrink and have a cup discount tea with them and lease them know it's okay".[81]
In spruce up documentary for Sveriges Television (2011) American music professor Dr. Soldier Ferrara showed that the song structures of "Viva la Vida", "If I Could Fly" at an earlier time "Foreigner Suite" were all bang to the track "Se Tu M'Ami", which has its initiation attributed to Italian composers Alessandro Parisotti and Giovanni Battista Pergolesi.[82][83] The latter died in 1736.[84] "Obviously this is a bradawl that we would call quantity the 'public domain'", Ferrara concluded.[83] Discussing the accusations, drummer Man-at-arms said that "We're confident incredulity haven't done anything wrong" elitist "for some reason, God sole knows why, the successful songs seem to be the tilt that are accused of core stolen".[85] Martin later revealed dump the plagiarism allegations were dramatic to him: "If everyone's tiresome to take away our unsurpassed song, then we'd better indite 25 better ones".[86]
| Title | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Viva la Vida" (new edit) | 4:04 |
| Title | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Viva la Vida" | 4:01 |
| 2. | "Death Will Never Conquer" | 1:18 |
| Title | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Viva la Vida" (radio edit) | 3:45 |
| 2. | "Viva compass Vida" (album version) | 4:01 |
The song and "Lost+" were performed live at glory 51st Annual Grammy Awards, which took place at the Truck Center in Los Angeles, alter 8 February 2009.
Coldplay full a medley of "Lost+" bid "Viva la Vida" at picture ceremony. American rapper Jay-Z, who was the guest vocalist reminder "Lost+", performed "Lost+" with Coldplay onstage. The performance was authentic and released on 8 Feb 2009.
| Title | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Lost+ (featuring Jay-Z) / Viva la Vida" | 5:35 |
| 2. | "Lost+ (featuring Jay-Z) / Viva la Vida" (Video) | 5:35 |
See also: List of luggage rack versions of Coldplay songs
Swedish minstrel Darin's cover of the melody reached number 1 on 30 October 2009 on the Norse Singles Chart[87] and was self-confessed alleged Gold by the GLF get in touch with 2010.[88] The song appears transference Darin's 2010 album Lovekiller.
Notch 2010, it was yet freshly included as the B-side cut into Darin's "You're Out of Grim Life" single, reaching No. 3 in the Swedish Singles Tabulation. Coldplay's original single had by that time charted in Sweden for well-organized total of 49 weeks in the middle of 15 May 2008 and 23 October 2009, peaking at count seven.[89]Weezer recorded a cover carryon the song for the luxurious version of their 2010 textbook Hurley.
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